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Watkins Family Papers, 1877-1931

 

Summary

Abstract:
The Watkins Family Papers contain personal letters, business records, bible correspondence course materials, legal documents, memorabilia, and newsclippings.
Extent:
2.40 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], Watkins Family Papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/fa/MSS-1956-058

Background

Scope and content:

The Richard Ellis Watkins Family Papers contains correspondence, account books and other business records, land deeds, contracts, Bible correspondence course materials, and memorabilia documenting the lives of Richard Ellis Watkins and his parents Thomas J. Watkins and Elizabeth Ellis, and other family members.

Biographical / historical:

The Richard Ellis Watkins family lived in Arcadia, FL (Desoto County) during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Watkins attended the Florida Normal School and Business College at White Springs (FL), and was in one of its first graduating classes, in 1891. During the 1890s, he taught public school in Alachua County (FL) and DeSoto County (FL). The collection has particular historical significance because it includes military letters written by Sergeant Major Watkins from Guantanamo, Cuba and Camp Price, Macon, GA to his mother, Elizabeth (Ellis) Watkins, during the Spanish-American War, 1898-1899. They describe his military life and the yellow fever illness at Guantanamo.

Acquisition information:
The Watkins Family Papers were given by Mrs. Marian Watkins Black, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ellis Watkins, to Florida State University on December 11, 1956.
Processing information:

The collection was processed in June 1964. The finding aid was updated in January 2007.

Arrangement:

Each series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent or record type, then chronologically within each folder.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to all researchers.

This collection is in an offsite storage location. Please contact lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu with requests for access or for more information.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been transferred to the Florida State University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], Watkins Family Papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/fa/MSS-1956-058

Location of this collection:
116 Honors Way
Tallahassee
FL
32306-2047
USA